Oxford University Press

Headway Plus INTERMEDIATE Writing Guide

UNIT 10
Writing Task: Write a biography
Worksheet 1: PRE-WRITING
Exercise 1
Complete the table with the Past Simple and past participle for each verb.
verb

Past
Simple

past
participle

verb

write
invent
move
leave
win
die
live
travel
teach

Past
Simple

past
participle

play
make
discover
start
return
work
found
lead
study

Exercise 2:
Which verbs could you use to write about these peoples lives? Write the Past Simple. Add more
verbs and nouns.
won

footballer

businessman

Exercise 3:
Look at the timeline of a famous writers life, below.
Complete the paragraph on the right. Write verbs in
the boxes and time expressions on the lines.
Year
1954
1960
1979
1982
1989
1995
2001
2002

Event
born
writes his first story
starts teaching
writes his first full-length book
gives up teaching to write fulltime
moves to the UK, staying for
five years
writes his most famous book
wins a writing prize

while
since

scientist

after that at the age of

years after between

until
for

He was writing ffffff in 1954 and he

his
first story _____________ six. He writing f ffffff teaching
in 1979 and three years ________ he
his
first full-length book, __________ teaching. He didnt
writing f ffffff teaching _________ 1989 and
___________ then he has been writing f ffffff
full-time. Six ____________ giving up teaching, he
writing f ffffff to the UK. He writing f ffffff there ______
five years, __________1995 and 2000. His greatest
achievement was when he wr ff
ff a prize in 2002.

Oxford University Press

Headway Plus INTERMEDIATE Writing Guide

UNIT 10
Worksheet 2: PRACTICE
Exercise 1
Re-write these sentences as one sentence.
1. Jack is a famous footballer. He is from Scotland. He has played over 100 international matches.
Jack, a .. from.., has ..
2. Ahmed is a famous poet. He is from Saudi Arabia. He has written three books of poetry.
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3. Henry Johnson was born in England. He left England to go to Australia in 1952. He became a
famous swimmer.
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4. Maria is a very famous cook in her home country, England. She wrote her first book when she was
twenty-five. The book has sold over one million copies.
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Exercise 2
Complete the sentences about Obaid. Use the facts
from the box and the time expressions.
while
since

after that at the age of

years after between

until
for

born in Sharjah, the UAE

works on a fishing boat with his
father
gets his own boat
studies computers at an evening
class, moves to Dubai
starts a business
runs his business, lives in Dubai

1945
1957
1967
1968
1995

2001
now
Obaid ......................................................................
...............................................................................
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Exercise 3
Here is information about three men from the same family. Which sentences are about which person?

studying
living in Jeddah
working
1

Saud
(born 1962)
1981-1985
1965
1987

Hes been studying for a few

years.
4
He lived in Jeddah from 1965
onwards.
7
He worked hard.

Saif
(born 1939, died 2010)
never
1965 2010
1955 to 1999

He studied for a few years.

He has lived in Jeddah since he was
born.
8
He hasnt started work yet.
5

Essa
(born 1993)
2008
1993
never

He didnt go to school or
college.
6
He has lived in Jeddah since
1965.
9
He has always worked hard.

Oxford University Press

Headway Plus INTERMEDIATE Writing Guide

UNIT 10
Worksheet 3: WRITING
Exercise 1: Writing a First Draft
Write a biography of a famous person.

Start with an introductory paragraph.

Write two body paragraphs.
End with a concluding paragraph.
Use verbs and time expressions
practised in the unit.
Write about 150 words.

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Read your essay and check:

Introductory paragraph
Body paragraphs
Concluding paragraph
Verbs in correct tense
Time expressions
Spelling (use a dictionary)
Punctuation capital letters, full stops, commas
Exercise 2: Writing a Final Draft
Make corrections and write out the biography again neatly.